ECOTOXICOLOGIA E EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL: UMA ANÁLISE CIENCIOMÉTRICA

Abstract

Scientometric analysis enables to evaluate the trend of scientific production, to describe the development of scientific production in each area of knowledge. Considering the large increase in the use of pesticides in agricultural activities, which has placed Brazil among the world's largest consumers of these substances, education and awareness about environmental damage can minimize the impacts caused by incorrect use of pesticides. The objective of this study was to analyze the development of scientific knowledge about the dissemination of ecotoxicological studies of pesticides in environmental education, through the evaluation of the distribution of research by regions and the temporal trend of publications. The methodological procedures used were based on a quantitative analysis of scientific production (articles) obtained from the SciELO database over the last 10 years. We found relatively few research papers related to the environmental impacts of pesticides as a topic discussed in environmental education. Among the selected articles, document analysis and in an urban social environment were the most cited methodology and study place, respectively. The publications demonstrate the participation of almost all Brazilian states, with greater emphasis on universities and researchers located in the Southeast and South regions, suggesting the need to encourage Brazilian researchers located in other regions to publish their studies in academic dissemination spaces.